Pedal Steel Guitar Association

Letter from the President 10-1-24

I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to update you on the Pedal Steel Guitar Association (PSGA) since our last regional concert in November 2022.

In the spring of 2023, after discussions with Founder, Bob Maickel, and Vice President John DeMaille and Secretary Darlene DeMaille, I stepped into the role of President. John and Darlene continue to serve in their positions, and we are actively seeking additional members to join the board.

Sadly, in September 2023, we lost our beloved Founder and President at Large, Bob Maickel.

With that in mind, we decided to forgo our annual show in 2023 and instead, focus our efforts on hosting an exceptional event with top-tier talent in November 2024. I’m excited to share that we secured the legendary guitarist, Redd Volkaert, for the 2024 PSGA show, a highlight that both guitar and steel players will not want to miss.

We are also thrilled to announce that Cindy Cashdollar will be joining us for the November 2024 show, bringing her remarkable talent and experience to the stage. With her connection and musical history to Redd, it promises to be a truly special event. In May 2024, regional players were invited to round out our full lineup for the November show. We are also offering free table space for anyone looking to sell steel or guitar-related equipment during the annual steel show. We hope this will promote accessibility to equipment for younger players. We just ask that you call to reserve space at 203-348-5073. Finally, we will be going to the video vault to break out never-before-seen performances from legends of the steel guitar world from past PSGA shows.

Lastly, in January 2024, we learned the music equipment in Bob estate was entrusted to John DeMaille. John decided to sell most of it and generously donated the proceeds back to the PSGA. In February, John and Darlene DeMaille, Kevin Macken, and I gathered any remaining gear to continue this initiative. To date, sales of the gear have raised over $4,000 for the PSGA.

As we make our final preparations for the 48th PSGA Steel Guitar Show, on behalf of the entire board, I’d like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support. We couldn’t do this without you! Please help us spread the word about the upcoming show on November 2 & 3, 2024. Details for the event can be found at PSGA.org.  This year’s event is not just for steel guitar players, especially with the incredible Redd Volkaert on guitar. We’ve also lined up our sensational house band featuring Larry Eagle on drums, Van Manakas on guitar, and Sean Cronin on bass. Thank you and I look forward to seeing you in November!

Best,

Jeff DeMaio

PSGA President